Deltapooh
05 Nov 03, 21:22
Meeting Engagement: tactical action in which a force that is usually moving "meets" or otherwise runs into an enemy force that is also usually moving, but which could be stationary. Normally, this is a surprise encounter, even though you know the enemy is out there somewhere. The faster-reacting force usually wins. This form of tactical action requires some skill in order to overcome the initial surprise and continue to act father than the enemy and in a way that brings combat power to bear. "Into the Storm" by Tom Clancy with General Fred Franks, Jr (Ret.)
There are a number of scenarios in ATF that clearly meeting engagements. Iraq Attack 3 is one of them. They are also the easiest to script in the scenario builder. This little tutorial will provide you with the simple example of how to design more challenging meeting engagment
Follow Along tutorial Files. (http://www.wargames.warfarehq.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=372)
Step 1: Select a good map
You want a map, that limit options available to friendly forces. If you can't find a map that suits your requirements, use obstacles, as well as maneuver graphics to help contain friendly forces. For this tutorial, I will use the wadi_dabl.
Step 2: Setup your scenario
I won't spend time in this department since it is already covered in The Online Help Files (http://www.prosimco.com/atf/tutorial/index.htm)
For now, we will keep things simple. We'll use the following OOB:
Enemy Force:
Mech Company (BMP-2) called C/1-20 Mech
Tank Company (T-80U) called A/1-120 Mech
Division Recon Company (DRT/SA-19) called Recon/1-20 Mech. I deleted everything except two DRT teams (make sure to keep HQ.)
Friendly Force:
Tank Heavy Company Team (M1A2, M2A2) called A/2-8CAV
Now draw your Maneuver graphics covering the area desired. This will serve as a reference later on. In this case, I created three phase lines, and a single objective.
Place the Division Recon teams somewhere overlooking where your friendly force will be traveling. Place your enemy heavy units in holes. I used my maneuver graphics to set up the defensive position not exactly in the OBJ, but near PL CANGO
I then set up A/2-8 CAV in a Company Wedge Formation.
So, OBJ HART is protected. The enemy wants to defend OBJ HART near PL CANGO. The enemy commander is a little jumpy though. So if his DRT teams report trouble or don't call in, he'll likely send his armor to help.
Step 3: Scripting Enemy attack:
The first thing you want to do is create a path for A/1-120 mech. However, a path might mess up your defense. So you only need it if there is trouble.
This is where prerequisite data enters the show. You want to store your attack path for reference when required.
Adding Route:
First, click on path, A/1-120 Mech while in "show platoon mode". Now draw a path from south to PL LUKE, which is the boundary for the friendly force. in the south.
Next click on the first node, and set the time boxes to zero. Next cut the path using the "cut path" option in your taskbar. Now the path is saved onto your clipboard.
The third step is to go to Hierarchy -> AI Faction -> Create -> Enemy
In the Battle Plan box, give the plan a name. Then click on the "add button" for Prerequisite data. Scroll down to route, and click Okay. Click Okay again for "Add Data Reference". A new window called "Order Data Edit Dialog" will appear. In the Data name field, type in "A/1-20 Mech Route" (no quotes). Leave everything else blank, and click okay. A new window will appear asking "Do you wish to use the current path on the clipboard as the path for this data object?" Click yes. Now you should see "A/1-20 Mech" in the prerequisite box.
Now leave the Battle Plan Dialog.
Create Event Box:
Click on Event -> Box. Now draw an event box over a portion of the map.
In this tutorial, I drew a box that stretched around the two DRT teams. This left a portion of the map along the extreme right of the zone free.
Now go back into your Battle Plan. Click on "add" next to the Order phase. Give the phase a name. I called my "A/1-120 Mech Attack" For a description. I pointed out that the attack would only occur if the friendly force attacks left of Grid BM3008272.
Now click add next to the Sustain Order Box. Give the order a name. I called mine A/1-120 Mech moves out. Click on the Delete Order after complete box. Next click on add next to the order execute box, and select Event box. Update the box calling it A/2-8 CAV. Set number of vehicles to 1. Check the equal to and greater than boxes as well. Finally, in the hierarchy name, click on A/2-8 CAV. This way, the entire company is tagged. Click okay.
Next, go to Hierarchy Orders. Click Add and select assign path in the order type, and A/1-120 Mech in the Hierarchy Name field. Click okay. Click on add in the "add data reference dialog and select "A/1-20 Mech Route) and click Okay and okay again.
Now click Add again in the Hierarchy Orders Box, and select Cancel toggle Order. In the next page, check the box next to stop, and click okay. In the order type and A/1-120 in the Hierarchy Name. Click Okay.
Finally, click add again next to the Hierarchy Orders Box and select Platoon Formation. Select the column formation. Then set the Hierarchy Name box to A/120 Mech. Click okay.
the last step is to click on Add next to the Phase End Conditions. Select AI Time and set it to 999h0m0s. Click okay and okay again.
To test and make sure everything works, move A/2-8 CAV to where the box is. Then click on the clock and start the clock. Monitor A/1-120 Mech. They should move out from their dug in positions and head south using the column formation.
Now you have two situations. If the friendly force goes far to the right of his zone. He slips past the scouts and is able to mount a surprise attack on the OBJ. If he goes left, the friendly commander is going to have a fight on his hands sooner than he might expect.
There are a number of ways to work this. However, the ideal is to get you through the door, and save some sweat and tears.
There are a number of scenarios in ATF that clearly meeting engagements. Iraq Attack 3 is one of them. They are also the easiest to script in the scenario builder. This little tutorial will provide you with the simple example of how to design more challenging meeting engagment
Follow Along tutorial Files. (http://www.wargames.warfarehq.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=372)
Step 1: Select a good map
You want a map, that limit options available to friendly forces. If you can't find a map that suits your requirements, use obstacles, as well as maneuver graphics to help contain friendly forces. For this tutorial, I will use the wadi_dabl.
Step 2: Setup your scenario
I won't spend time in this department since it is already covered in The Online Help Files (http://www.prosimco.com/atf/tutorial/index.htm)
For now, we will keep things simple. We'll use the following OOB:
Enemy Force:
Mech Company (BMP-2) called C/1-20 Mech
Tank Company (T-80U) called A/1-120 Mech
Division Recon Company (DRT/SA-19) called Recon/1-20 Mech. I deleted everything except two DRT teams (make sure to keep HQ.)
Friendly Force:
Tank Heavy Company Team (M1A2, M2A2) called A/2-8CAV
Now draw your Maneuver graphics covering the area desired. This will serve as a reference later on. In this case, I created three phase lines, and a single objective.
Place the Division Recon teams somewhere overlooking where your friendly force will be traveling. Place your enemy heavy units in holes. I used my maneuver graphics to set up the defensive position not exactly in the OBJ, but near PL CANGO
I then set up A/2-8 CAV in a Company Wedge Formation.
So, OBJ HART is protected. The enemy wants to defend OBJ HART near PL CANGO. The enemy commander is a little jumpy though. So if his DRT teams report trouble or don't call in, he'll likely send his armor to help.
Step 3: Scripting Enemy attack:
The first thing you want to do is create a path for A/1-120 mech. However, a path might mess up your defense. So you only need it if there is trouble.
This is where prerequisite data enters the show. You want to store your attack path for reference when required.
Adding Route:
First, click on path, A/1-120 Mech while in "show platoon mode". Now draw a path from south to PL LUKE, which is the boundary for the friendly force. in the south.
Next click on the first node, and set the time boxes to zero. Next cut the path using the "cut path" option in your taskbar. Now the path is saved onto your clipboard.
The third step is to go to Hierarchy -> AI Faction -> Create -> Enemy
In the Battle Plan box, give the plan a name. Then click on the "add button" for Prerequisite data. Scroll down to route, and click Okay. Click Okay again for "Add Data Reference". A new window called "Order Data Edit Dialog" will appear. In the Data name field, type in "A/1-20 Mech Route" (no quotes). Leave everything else blank, and click okay. A new window will appear asking "Do you wish to use the current path on the clipboard as the path for this data object?" Click yes. Now you should see "A/1-20 Mech" in the prerequisite box.
Now leave the Battle Plan Dialog.
Create Event Box:
Click on Event -> Box. Now draw an event box over a portion of the map.
In this tutorial, I drew a box that stretched around the two DRT teams. This left a portion of the map along the extreme right of the zone free.
Now go back into your Battle Plan. Click on "add" next to the Order phase. Give the phase a name. I called my "A/1-120 Mech Attack" For a description. I pointed out that the attack would only occur if the friendly force attacks left of Grid BM3008272.
Now click add next to the Sustain Order Box. Give the order a name. I called mine A/1-120 Mech moves out. Click on the Delete Order after complete box. Next click on add next to the order execute box, and select Event box. Update the box calling it A/2-8 CAV. Set number of vehicles to 1. Check the equal to and greater than boxes as well. Finally, in the hierarchy name, click on A/2-8 CAV. This way, the entire company is tagged. Click okay.
Next, go to Hierarchy Orders. Click Add and select assign path in the order type, and A/1-120 Mech in the Hierarchy Name field. Click okay. Click on add in the "add data reference dialog and select "A/1-20 Mech Route) and click Okay and okay again.
Now click Add again in the Hierarchy Orders Box, and select Cancel toggle Order. In the next page, check the box next to stop, and click okay. In the order type and A/1-120 in the Hierarchy Name. Click Okay.
Finally, click add again next to the Hierarchy Orders Box and select Platoon Formation. Select the column formation. Then set the Hierarchy Name box to A/120 Mech. Click okay.
the last step is to click on Add next to the Phase End Conditions. Select AI Time and set it to 999h0m0s. Click okay and okay again.
To test and make sure everything works, move A/2-8 CAV to where the box is. Then click on the clock and start the clock. Monitor A/1-120 Mech. They should move out from their dug in positions and head south using the column formation.
Now you have two situations. If the friendly force goes far to the right of his zone. He slips past the scouts and is able to mount a surprise attack on the OBJ. If he goes left, the friendly commander is going to have a fight on his hands sooner than he might expect.
There are a number of ways to work this. However, the ideal is to get you through the door, and save some sweat and tears.